Vans & Jack’s Garage Skatepark Grand Opening

Vans and Jack’s Garage celebrated the grand opening of the Vans Off The Wall Skatepark in Huntington Beach, California this past weekend.

The Vans Off the Wall Skatepark and Jack’s Garage skate shop grand opening celebration took place this past weekend in Huntington Beach, California. The day’s festivities included an official ribbon cutting, tons of skateboarding, autograph signings from Vans pro skateboarders and the inaugural “SoCal Sole of Fame” induction ceremony honoring local legends.

Over a thousand friends, family, skateboarders and fans gathered in the morning hours to be a part of the official ribbon cutting and park opening. Representatives from Vans, Jack’s, California Skateparks and the City of Huntington Beach’s own mayor Matthew Harper each said a few words before turning the park over to the community to skate.

“Vans is proud to finally share the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark with the community,” said Steve Van Doren, vice president of events and promotions. “It was a long time coming and we look forward to all of the great skating and events to come.”

Once the ribbon was cut, hundreds of skaters made their way into and throughout the highly anticipated new course. Pros and legends skated amongst the big crowds throughout the day. Professional and amateur skaters from the Vans skate team were joined by legendary pros Jay Adams, Steve Olson, Dave Hackett, Laura Thornhill, Eddie Elguera, Marty Jiminez and masses more from the local skate community to put the first grinds and slides on every imaginable edge, ledge and rail in the 42,500 sq foot skatepark. Tosh Townend, Ed Templeton and Geoff Rowley sessioned the salvaged flatbar from the demolished original Huntington Beach park, just like old times, while Vans legends Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi entertained with doubles in the clover bowl.

The Vans Off the Wall Skatepark “SoCal Sole of Fame” ceremony took place in the afternoon as local Huntington Beach skate legends Christian Hosoi, Ed Templeton and Tosh Townend were the inaugural inductees. The three skaters each put their feet in cement and the impressions will remain there to be joined by others as a part of the skatepark to commemorate the significant contributions of local skateboarders in their community.

Designed in partnership with Vans and built by California Skateparks, the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark offers every terrain imaginable and is defined by an upper transition bowl area and a lower street plaza area tied together with Vans iconic checkerboard paving pattern weaved throughout the park.

“Vans is extremely stoked to be able to provide this world-class park for all skateboarders and the community to enjoy as a lasting symbol of our commitment to them and our heritage,” said Justin Regan, Vans senior marketing manager.

The park is now open and free to the public. For more information, vans.com